Obama to return to NC to push passage of jobs bill

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By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are scrambling to rewrite portions of President Barack Obama's jobs bill, even as Obama tries to blame Republicans for Congress' failure to act.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell moved to call the president's bluff Tuesday by pushing for a quick Senate vote on the bill, but Democratic leader Harry Reid derailed the effort as all sides maneuvered for position in a potentially defining battle in the 2012 presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, the White House said Wednesday that the president would take a bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia on Oct. 17-19 to urge passage of his proposal.

Stops along the tour haven't been announced yet, but it would mark Obama's second visit to North Carolina in a month to promote the jobs bill. He visited an Apex manufacturer and spoke at North Carolina State University on Sept. 14.

In the Senate, Democrats made plans to jettison provisions that Obama recommended to pay for the $447 billion jobs bill, substituting them with a tax increase on millionaires, officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door developments.

Reid, D-Nev., outlined plans for a 5 percent surcharge in a meeting with the rank and file Tuesday, according to participants in the session, as Obama traveled to Texas to deliver his most caustic challenge yet to House Republicans who have not allowed a vote on the legislation unveiled nearly a month ago.

"What's the problem? Do they not have the time? They just had a week off. Is it inconvenient?" he said in Mesquite, Texas, singling out House Majority Leader Eric Cantor for special criticism.

Cantor has said the White House's "all or nothing approach is unreasonable."

But after three weeks of presidential demands for Congress to pass his jobs bill without delay, White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said Obama was open to Reid's changes.

"We offered a balanced way to pay for the American Jobs Act, but if Congress has a better idea that ensures that everyone pays their fair share, we're open to it," Pfeiffer said.

McConnell said he was ready for an immediate vote on the bill, even though he opposes it. Reading aloud on the Senate floor from a copy of Obama's speech, he said, "I do think the president makes an important point that he is entitled to a vote."

The request was blocked by Reid, who called it a "political stunt" and said he would make sure the bill comes to the floor this month. Aboard Air Force One, White House press secretary Jay Carney accused Republicans of gamesmanship.

The parliamentary dance aside, the day's events underscored that, as submitted by the White House, Obama's bill would not only fail in the Republican-controlled House, but faced enough opposition from Democrats to endanger its prospects in the Senate, as well.

"There's the good, the bad and the ugly. The ugly was $447 billion," Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said of the bill's price tag.

Democrats said Reid's proposed millionaires' surtax was designed to quell much if not all of the opposition from his own rank and file.

To pay for his package of tax breaks, unemployment benefits and new spending on public works projects, Obama has proposed higher taxes on family incomes over $250,000 and on the oil and gas industry.

The first request troubles Democratic senators from states like New York, New Jersey and California, where large numbers of families could be hit by the increase. The second has drawn opposition most prominently from Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, whose state is home to numerous oil and gas operations.

The president also proposed higher taxes on hedge fund managers and corporate jet owners, but those increases, too, would disappear under the changes Reid is expected to unveil as early as Wednesday.

In political terms, Democrats appear to be hoping that Republicans will oppose both the higher taxes on million-dollar earners and the president's call for new spending aimed at reducing joblessness, thus leaving themselves open to a charge of protecting the wealthy at the expense of the unemployed.

Reid's office declined to comment on the emerging plan for a higher tax on millionaires, but several Democrats said it was being drafted to cover the entire $447 billion cost of the legislation.

Reid predicted that by the time the jobs bill comes to the Senate floor, almost all Democrats would be behind it.

While Republican lawmakers appear receptive to tax cuts the president has called for, they have expressed strong opposition to his proposed new spending.

whatusayOct 5, 2011

Every tax payer must pay their fail share....."the question Obama won't ask" What is their fair share????? How much will I have to pay.....just and answer the question...what is my fair share??? Obama refuses to be specific.... What is my fair share...he keeps saying over and over and over again....Taxpayers should pay their fair share...but, he wont't tell us what our fair share is....is it 35% of out income, 80% of our income??? No one knows.......he won't tell us... Obama is using class war-fare... Obam is a divider, not a uniteer.. Why does anyone follow this clown with his ridiculous ramblings...over and over and over.... Obama will be the downfall of this country of people follow him blindly....wake up...Obama is evil, he tells lies, he diceives you, but.....still...ignorant people follow him blindly...why???

jdupreeOct 5, 2011

We're tired of all your winey speeches Obama. You had you chance and failed miserably. We can't stand 4 more years of your wasteful spending.

426X3Oct 5, 2011

Oh boy! Can't wait. I'll stop whatever I'm doing that day and await his arrival with much anticipation. NOT!!!!!

ljohnson247Oct 5, 2011

The bills are onliine. Read them yourself and stop waiting for a TV to tell you whats in it. My health insurance hasnt budged at work. Quit crying or get new insurance. Good grief people. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHKeepin_it_Reel_in_NC.

sunshine1040Oct 5, 2011

How many people does this trip put back to work. Somebody to drive the bus. someone to direct trafffic and pull security detail. But how much of that money can be use to start a business that will be here for more then 12 hrs. all of it . We gave him an office and even a flying office ites time for him to locate that office and use it for something other then a footrest

DavidJonathanOct 5, 2011

Welcome, Mr. President! I don't understand why my fellow North Carolinians aren't thrilled that NC is finally being taken seriously in presidential politics. There are only two Presidents in the last 40 years for whom NC was a KEY state along their path to the White House: Reagan and Obama. I am glad we are back in the game!

UNC006Oct 5, 2011

Like a bad penny- the human economic wrecking ball turns up again...

gunny462Oct 5, 2011

"The bills are onliine. Read them yourself and stop waiting for a TV to tell you whats in it."

Wow drinking that koolaid again I see. There is NO JOBS BILL, why? because it hasn't been sponsored... so it's still a proposal.

Follow_The_Money27617Oct 5, 2011

We have a question. Does anyone think that the Pres or anyone in Congress knows what is in the Jobs Bill? Todate, does anyone know what is in the Health Care Bill besides raising the cost of insurance. Ours at work has gone up to where one can not get sick.ljohnson247October 5, 2011 3:54 p.m. Ignore Report abuse

The bills are onliine. Read them yourself and stop waiting for a TV to tell you whats in it. My health insurance hasnt budged at work. Quit crying or get new insurance. Good grief people. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Mark HayesOct 5, 2011

Take off those bedroom slippers and start marching,many will not be able to attend since that is the reporting day for their DSS appointments but that votes in the bag anyway.